Tuesday, August 02, 2016

FG making genuine efforts to correct lapses – President Buhari

The
President, Muhammadu Buhari has assured that lapses that have characterized
Nigeria as a nation would be corrected, reports ITRealms.

Receiving a team led by Dr. Seth Berkley, Chief Executive Officer of Gavi and the
Global Fund in State House, Abuja, last Thursday, President Buhari said he was
impressed with the patience and steadfastness of leading supporters of health
care in Nigeria, despite the country’s shortcomings.

"We are making genuine efforts to correct the
lapses. We are very serious about people behaving themselves, and being
accountable," he said.

Buhari also commended the visiting team for
deciding to re-engage with the country, despite noticeable inefficiencies.

“You decided to be here, not minding our shortcomings.
There are other countries that would bring less problems. We appreciate your
commitment, and we will do our best to put ourselves in the best shape to help
us," President Buhari said.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina quoted Dr Berkley as noting that the three focal points
of the Buhari administration; security, economic development, and
anti-corruption were critical to the future of Nigeria, stressing that these
points have raised issues over the way donor funds for health care were
utilized in the past.

He said Gavi and the Global Fund were disappointed
when forensic audit revealed systemic weaknesses and corruption in the
utilization of funds given in the past, adding that there is now a "breath
of fresh air" under President Buhari’s leadership and fight against
corruption and they were willing to "close the books of the past, and look
into future support."

Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, who was
also at the event, disclosed that those indicted in the audit of the donor
funds in the past, which was done between 2010 and 2015, had already been
questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and would be
arraigned in court soon.